THE board at Notts County have told manager Martin Allen he cannot make any more new signings unless players first leave Meadow Lane.

Allen has been backed by Magpies' chairman Ray Trew to make four loan signings since the start of the year.

Damion Stewart, Kieron Freeman, Jonathan Forte and Cristian Montano have all arrived at Meadow Lane, but only two players, Ricky Ravenhill and Karl Hawley, have left the club.

Allen wants to further strengthen his squad to make a push for the play-offs in League One in the last 18 games of the season, saying: "There is one position, without a shadow of a doubt, that we want to improve within the club, but I've chatted with the chairman and it seems we've got to move players out before we can bring more in now, which is perfectly fine.

"Finances have to come into it. Maybe there has got to be some movement on the other side to balance the books."

Montano rejoined the Magpies on loan from West Ham United only two days ago and Allen believes Notts, who are 11th in League One, are looking strong.

"We have got competition for places right through this team now," he added.

"None of our full-backs can be guaranteed a place because the boy Freeman has come in and done ever so well.

"Krystian Pearce played well against MK Dons so now we've got three people really challenging each other in central defence, plus maybe (Sam) Sodje and Mike Edwards, of course.

"Hamza (Bencherif) has come in and played very well in midfield, so right through the whole team we're looking strong.

"I wouldn't say I've got difficult decisions, but I do have some big decisions to make on who is going to play now."

After five defeats in six league games, the Magpies are currently unbeaten in their last three, after draws against MK Dons and Preston and a victory at Walsall.

"All the doom and gloom around the place, it's not so bad. We're not doing too bad," said Allen.